Since I was there during the Chinese New Year, many families from mainland China were also visiting there. They were burning incense and praying. The incense was quite large and in every area, and the smell could be overwhelming for some.

Although there is also a monastery there, there wasn't much to see. The focus of the trip was really around experiencing the culture and religious expression.

Po Lin Monastery was built in 1920 by three Zen masters and has an attached tea garden. Tian Tan Buddha was built in 1993; the monks of the world were invited to the opening ceremony.

The monks want to charge for admission to the Buddha but can't because of their beliefs, so they get around that by charging HKD 20 for a vegetarian meal. By the time we arrived, it was getting late and the vegetarian meal was closing in less than half an hour. The person at the ticket booth in front of the steps allowed us through without selling us meal tickets. We just had to climb up the 260 steps to the Po Lin Monastery, where the Buddha rested on top. By the time we were done, the last bus service going back had finished for the day, so we queued up for a taxi and waited maybe half an hour for our turn. MTR plans to have service here in the future.

No photos are allowed inside the monastery.

Hours: 10am to 5:45pm, vegetarian meal 11:30am to 5pm.

Ferry from pier no.6 in Central to Mui Wo/Silvermine Bay - take NLB No. 2 to Po Lin.

MTR to Tung Chung station - take NLB No. 23 to Po Lin.

Feeling adventurous, we collected several fellow travelers and set out to pay homage to the Big Buddha and visit the Po Lin Monastery on the outlying island of Lantau.

To reach Lantau, we took the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, a high speed ferry from the ferry terminal there to Lantau, and finally a bus from the ferry terminal on Lantau to Buddha. The trip took about two hours total and was in itself a fun travel experience.

The first sight of the Big Buddha is astounding. Standing, or rather sitting, 72 feet high, the magnificent bronze statue is perched atop 260 steps straight up. The experience and view are worth the exercise.

At the top, Buddha is surrounded by Bodhisattvas, statues of Buddhist saints. Legend has it if you toss a coin into a Bodhisattva's upraised hand you will have good luck for all your days. After numerous tries, we succeeded and our luck has been great!

Helpful hint: Start early and plan your visit so that you arrive back at the Star Ferry terminal before afternoon rush hour!